Enter any address in Highland County, Virginia to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms dominates flood events in Highland County. Between 1994 and 2024, NOAA data recorded 18 flash flood events and 10 general flood events, resulting in one fatality. For example, in July 2025, thunderstorms produced rainfall of two to six inches, causing flooding and flash flooding. Earlier that month, in June 2025, slow-moving frontal boundary thunderstorms delivered one to four inches of rain across the county.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced an average of three claims with an average payout of $459 and an average water depth of 0.3 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have had one claim with an average payout of $0 and an average water depth of 5.0 feet. Residents in areas prone to flash flooding, as well as those in lower-lying areas or without a home built above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Highland County, Virginia has recorded 28 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 18 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 22 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 22, 2026 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Florence | Hurricane | Sep 13, 2018 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 22, 2016 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Severe Storms And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 29, 2012 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorms | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Dec 18, 2009 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 23, 2006 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jul 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 13, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 18, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 28, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Apr 12, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 27, 2006 | — |
| Flash Flood | Feb 6, 2004 | — |
| Flash Flood | Nov 19, 2003 | — |
Flood — Jul 18, 2025
An anomalously moist tropical airmass resided over Virginia bringing numerous rounds of showers and thunderstorms. Thunderstorms trained over portions of central Virginia bringing rainfall amounts of two to locally six inches. This resulted in instances of flooding and flash flooding.
Flood — Jun 16, 2025
Showers and thunderstorms along a slow moving frontal boundary produced rainfall amounts of one to four inches across Highland County, VA over the course of six hours.
Flood — Jun 13, 2021
A cold front combined with an unstable atmosphere, plenty of moisture, and a light flow aloft to cause isolated flooding instances over the Potomac Highlands of Virginia as well as central Virginia.
Flood — Mar 1, 2021
Low pressure over the midwestern United States brought a warm front across the region February 28th. Warm advection precipitation, enhanced by upslope flow and favorable upper jet dynamics, lead to an inch or two of rainfall in western portions of our forecast area. This, along with partial melting of snowpack in the mountains, lead to some isolated flooding across eastern western portions of o...
Flood — Jun 18, 2020
Slow moving low pressure and deep moisture led to a persistent band of showers and isolated thunderstorms. Locally heavy rain led to instances of flooding.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Highland County, Virginia:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Highland County, Virginia that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.